Science Lessons

We have started to provide science lessons once a week at our center. Science is covered very little  in schools here resulting in very poor general knowledge about the physical world, even among many adults. Our aim is to get our children thinking about the world around them and why and how things work. We are not sticking to a strict curriculum but rather picking topics which we believe both worthwhile and interesting. We hope to get the children to learn about these new things through fun and interactive lessons.

Learning about biodegrading.

Thinking about what will and wont float.

Testing them out.

They were all really into it.

Among others we have covered the environment, forces, the universe and why we see things. We hope to continue the lessons, thinking of different, fun experiments for the children to take part in. So any ideas from old science lessons that anyone found memorable please let us know by leaving a comment.

Making our solar system.

 

English Practice

Our evening English classes for the older teenagers and adults in the area continue to be both popular and successful. Our teacher Sokheang (also the centers assistant manager) enjoys finding new ways to challenge his students and keep them interested in their studies. He has them singing karaoke and using the internet to engage in listening exercises. Most recently he has invited me along to give the students a chance to speak and listen to a native English speaker (photos are courtesy of him).

After our first class.

As anyone that has tried to learn a language knows, it is entirely different practicing it with someone with your own native accent than to the one you are learning. The students did really well and understood a lot. We were discussing ideas for letters which we will be sending to one school in the UK and one in Australia in a new pen pall initiative. We talked about the differences and similarities in growing up in the different countries, what it might be interesting for children in the UK and Oz to learn about Cambodia, and what we at the center would like to know about them. I also got them to do some translations from questions and ideas put forward by our younger students in their Khmer lessons.

Making sure everyone gets a chance to speak.

They came up with lots of ideas.

The students really enjoyed the sessions and we have come up with some great letters (I will write a blog update on the progress of our pen pall friendships once they are underway – with the slow post here in Cambodia it is not going to be a hugely fast passed interchange). We will definitely continue with our speaking practice!